Extreme Right Golden Dawn Leader Michaloliakos and MP Lagos Released Ahead of Trial

Extreme Right Golden Dawn’s imprisoned leader Nikos Michaloliakos and senior MP Ioannis Lagos, who, among others, are currently facing charges over running and belonging to a criminal organization were released from Korydallos prison today, after the 18-month pretrial custody period expired.

The Nazi-inspired party leader Nikos Michaloliakos will be kept under house arrest until he and some 70 others appear before judges later on April. Similarly, MP Giannis Lagos in order to secure his release had to post a bail of 125,000 euros and is banned from fleeing the country. Both are banned from attending public gatherings.

The prosecutor recited all the charges being brought against Golden Dawn, underlining the murders of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas (a.k.a. Killah P) in September 2013 and Pakistani immigrant Luqman Shahzad in January 2013, as well as several individual assaults on foreign nationals and leftist activists, including the attack against PAME members in Piraeus, just a few days before Fyssas’ murder.

It should be noted that all 16 MPs of Golden Dawn in the previous Parliament — which was dissolved for the January 25 general elections — will appear before the judge. Thirteen of the MPs were re-elected along with four new members, making Golden Dawn the third largest party currently represented in Greek Parliament.

1 COMMENT

You use the term xenophobic to describe Golden Dawn. Perhaps we need a new term to describe those who do not fear immigration themselves, but merely its effect on their grandchildren’s future prospects, as these do not appear to be intimidated by anyone!